Hiring should be an open process Keep them out of the street

OUR OPINIONS

OUR OPINIONS

November 13, 2005

The announcement Monday night by South Bend Community School Corp. Superintendent Joan Raymond that she will retire by the beginning of next school year was a big surprise. It was a surprise partly because the secret had been kept so successfully. And it also was a surprise because Raymond doesn't seem to be the "retiring" type -- in either sense of the word. She came to South Bend in 2000, after already retiring once, from the job of superintendent of Elmhurst (Ill.) Public School District, and then rejecting the notion of replacing work with leisurely pursuits. Raymond isn't retiring of demeanor, either. Adjectives that come to mind are determined, purposeful or progressive. During Raymond's tenure at the South Bend schools, there have been sharp conflicts, confounding budgets and many wrenching decisions. Supporters are apt to point out that Raymond has been a strong-willed but effective administrator. We wouldn't disagree and, as the time for her departure draws nearer, will have more to say about Raymond's challenges and achievements. For now, it seems fitting to remind the Board of Trustees of the importance of conducting an open, inclusive, visible process for selecting the next superintendent. When such an important, public-sector position is to be filled, people in the community should know the qualities that the Board of Trustees is seeking in a candidate. Above all, it should know the identities of the top tier of candidates. Otherwise, there is no way for the public to be have input in the selection process. We have been told that it's necessary to keep the names of superintendent finalists a secret because the best candidates often do not want their employers to know they're looking around. The best people wouldn't apply for the job, the argument goes, if applying meant going public with their ambitions and possible rejections. That is a bogus argument. The fact is, superintendents always are looking around. Rarely do they stay in a job for more than a few years. We're not suggesting that short tenure is a good thing. But it is a reality in the field. Public consideration of known candidates would strengthen the selection process. We urge the South Bend school board to respect this when it decides how to select Raymond's successor. Heaven only knows why charities ever decided it was a good idea to get their volunteers to walk into traffic to solicit donations from annoyed motorists. But they did. Because they did, we welcome a proposal by South Bend city attorneys to draft an ordinance that would prohibit the solicitations. There are two problems with the solicitations -- well, three if you count the annoyance factor. The principal concerns are safety and protecting the public from fraud. It isn't safe to distract motorists who are trapped at traffic signals, waiting for the light to change. The risk to the solicitors as they venture into driving lanes is obvious. The risk to other motorists or pedestrians can't be a good thing, either. Drivers feel compelled to unbuckle their seat belts and fumble for money when their minds really should be on the traffic around them. Motorists are captive solicitation subjects -- for the moment. Short of rolling up their windows and refusing to make eye contact, they can't escape. They also can't evaluate the worthiness of the solicitation or even ask for an ID. There isn't enough time. But then that's the whole point, isn't it? Drivers are caught off guard. So they drop some money in the bucket and make a mental note not to drive that route next time. There is no ordinance now to prohibit solicitation of donations from motorists at intersections -- unless you count the panhandling law. We think a law more specifically aimed at this activity would be appropriate.